UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT  LOS  ANGELES 


•• 


vERSITY  of  CALIFORNIA 

AT 

LOS  ANGELES 
LIBRARY 


LICHTENTAG 

PARAGON 

SHORTHAND 


Jl  Vast  Improvement  in  the 
Jlrt  of  Shorthand 

SEVEN  EASY  LESSONS 

Having  Learned  which,  the  Student  is  in  Possession 

of  a  System  of  Shorthand  wherewith  Anything 

and  Everything  in  the  Language  can  be 

Written  Briefly  and  Legibly. 


By  A.  LICHTENTAG 

PUBLISHED  BY 

PARAGON    SHORTHAND    INSTITUTE 

311  SIXTH  AVENUE,  NEW  YORK.  N.Y. 

1919 

Copyright  1906 

Copyrilhl   1918  |    Pj-J 


PARAGON      SHORTHAND. 


FOREWORD. 


The  preface  which  follows  was  written  for  the  first 
edition  of  Paragon  Shorthand  which  'appeared  in  the  year 
1906. 

Since  that  time  thousands  of  copies  have  been  used  and 
Paragon  Shorthand  now  counts  its  devotees  in  almost  every 
part  of  the  civilized  globe  where  there  are  English-speaking 
people. 

The  author  is  in  possession  of  stacks  of  letters  from 
students  of  Paragon,  many  of  whom  previously  wrote  some 
other  system,  expressing  complete  satisfaction  with  Paragon 
Shorthand  and  setting  forth  that  the  system  has  more  than 
fulfilled  every  claim  made  for  it. 

Business  schools  are  now  using  this  book  and  Boards  of 
Education  of  various  cities  have  adopted  it  for  their  High 
Schools,  discarding  the  systems  previously  taught. 

Journals  of  the  shorthand  profession  are  now'  beginning 
to  publish  editorials  and  articles  by  expert  reporters,  which 
support  the  correctness  of  the  principle  on  which  Paragon 
Shorthand  is  founded:  That  speed  in  writing  shorthand  is  more 
a  matter  of  manual  dexterity  than  the  result  of  the  use  of  an 
abundance  of  expedients  for  contracting  the  writing,  special 
short  cuts,  etc.;  all  of  which  hinder  speed  because  they  cause 
a  tremendous  mental  friction  and  do  not  leave  the  hand  free 
to  proceed  unhampered  and  unimpeded. 


PARAGON     SHORTHAND. 


PREFACE. 


r 


Fifteen  years  of  actual  use  in  the  offices  of  the  largest 
corporations  and  firms,  in  the  service  of  the  United  States 
Government,  in  law  and  convention  reporting,  in  newspaper 
work  and  in  reporting  the  most  technical  matter,  by  per- 
sons taught  by  the  Author  only,  either  in  person  or  through 
correspondence,  removes  Paragon  Shorthand  from  the  do- 
main of  theory,  stamps  it  as  a  positive  success,  and  was 
the  test  to  which  the  Author,  himself,  desired  the  system 
subjected  before  he  would  publish  it  in  book  form  and  place 
it  before  the  English-speaking  world. 

Being  himself  a  professional  stenographer,  a  writer  of 
all  the  generally  used  systems,  and  through  experience  ac- 
quainted with  the  defects  of  the  existing  shorthand  methods, 
he  was  thoroughly  equipped  to  produce  a  system  which 
should  meet  all  the  requirements  of  practical  work. 

Paragon  Shorthand  is  a  radical  departure  from  the 
beaten  track  in  this  respect:  That,  though  like  all  other 
systems  of  shorthand  it  employs  for  its  alphabetic  charac- 
ters segments  of  a  circle  and  straight  lines,  it  is  constructed 
on  the  principle  that  what  is  required  in  a  practical  system 
of  shorthand  is  a  complete  alphabet  of  brief  signs  for  sounds 
(so  that  all  words  in  the  language  can  be  written  therewith) 
and  a  simple  method  of  contracting  the  writing  so  that  the 
utmost  brevity  can  be  attained  without  resorting  to  hun- 
dreds of  expedients  and  special  abbreviations  for  thousands 
of  words,  thus  giving  to  the  mind  the  least  possible  work 
and  leaving  the  hand  free  to  attain  the  highest  speed. 

A  comparison  of  the  contents  of  this  book  with  those 
of  any  other  shorthand  text-book  will  convince  any  one  of 
the  fact  that  Paragon  Shorthand  is  by  far  the  simplest  in 
construction  of  any  snorthand  system  in  existence.  A  re- 


PARAGON     SHORTHAND. 


course  to  arbitrary  means  of  contracting  words  is  herein 
reduced  to  the  minimum. 

The  alphabet  is  imparted  in  six  lessons;  therefore,  each 
lesson  must  be  simple  indeed.  In  the  seventh  lesson  is  given 
the  method  of  abbreviating,  a  few  simple  word  signs  and 
prefix  contractions.  This  is  all  there  is  to  the  system,  and 
yet  with  it  anything  and  everything  in  the  language  can  be 
written  briefly  and  legibly,  the  only  requisite  to  obtain 
speed  being  practice. 

As  far  as  the  Author  is  able  to  ascertain,  Paragon  Short- 
hand is  the  only  system  in  existence  whose  every  alphabetic 
character  is  made  with  bub  a  single  stroke  or  movement  of 
the  pencil. 

Unlike  almost  every  other  system,  it  has  only  one  sign 
for  any  given  sound  or  letter. 

Instead  of  obtaining  sufficient  symbols  by  making 
strokes  light  and  shaded,  in  Paragon  Shorthand  the  strokes 
are  short  and  long  as  in  ordinary  longhand,  where  half  the 
alphabet  is  composed  of  short  letters  and  the  other  half 
long,  viz: 


/  •&  *    t  ^     ^  ^ 


The  alphabet  is  so  arranged  that  the  most  frequently 
occurring  sounds  are  represented  by  signs  which  are  the 
easiest  to  execute,  and  those  sounds  which  happen  together 
the  oftenest,  such  as  tr,  dr,  st,  sk,  sw,  skw,  etc.,  are  allotted 
signs  which  make  the  best  .-joinings. 

In  Paragon  Shorthand  the  writing  is  placed  on  one  posi- 
tion, as  in  ordinary  handwriting,  unlike  those  systems  where 
the  identical  mark  has  different  meanings  when  placed  above 
the  line,  on  the  line  or  across  or  below  the  line;  in  some 


PARAGON     SHORTHAND. 


systems  as  many  as  five  different  positions  being  employed. 
In  Paragon  Shorthand,  when  vowels  are  used  they  are 
written  in  the  word  with  the  consonants  in  the  order  in 
which  they  occur,  unlike  the  old  systems  where  vowels  are 
represented  by  little  dots  and  dashes  disjoined  from  the  con- 
sonants and  inserted  after  the  consonants  of  a  word  are 
written. 

In  Paragon  Shorthand,  the  vowels  having  distinctive 
signs,  initials  of  names  (when  they  are  vowels)  can  be 
written,  which  is  impossible  in  the  old  systems. 

The  marvelous  simplicity  of  the  Paragon  system  makes 
it  easy  of  acquisition  within  a  brief  space  of  time  by  any 
person  of  average  intelligence  who  can  read  and  write.  It, 
therefore,  will  appeal  to  the  millions,  who,  not  wanting  to 
follow  shorthand  as  a  profession,  still  can  profitably  employ 
a  brief  system  of  writing  in  making  their  memoranda,  re- 
cording incidents  and  thoughts,  reporting  lectures,  etc. 

To  the  person  desiring  to  adopt  shorthand  as  a  voca- 
tion, Paragon  Shorthand  is  of  the  utmost  value,  in  that  it 
can  be  mastered  and  put  to  money-making  use  in  a  few 
weeks — months  sooner  than  would  be  possible  by  any  other 
system.  Besides,  the  remarkable  ease  with  which  the  notes 
can  be  read,  the  facile  outlines,  the  freedom  from  the  per- 
plexities and  complications  of  the  old  systems,  the  relatively 
little  mental  and  nervous  strain  imposed,  makes  it  the  most 
practical  and  most  efficient  working  instrument  for  the  pur- 
pose extant. 

To  the  progressive  schools,  whose  ambition  it  is  to  turn 
out  the  greatest  percentage  of  proficient  stenographers, 
capable  of  reading  their  notes,  this  text-book  comes  as  a 
boon. 

Backed  by  fifteen  years'  demonstration  of  its  utility, 
Paragon  Shorthand  is  submitted  as  the  simplest  system  in 
existence,  the  quickest  to  learn,  by  far  the  easiest  to  read; 
and,  as  for  speed,  one's  common  sense  will  enable  one  to 


PARAGON     SHORTHAND. 


concede  the  fact  that  the  system  whose  writing  is  all  light- 
line,  all  on  one  position;  which  has  only  one  sign  for  any 
letter — therefore,  only  one  way  in  which  a  word  can  be 
written;  which  has  only  about  twenty-five  simple  word  signs, 
and  where  any  desired  brevity  of  outline  can  be  obtained 
by  the  application  of  its  single  rule  of  contraction;  must 
be  capable  of  much  faster  execution  than  the  writing  in 
those  systems  where  time  is  occupied  in  making  heavy 
strokes,  in  placing  the  words  on  different  positions  (on  the 
line,  above  the  line,  across  or  below  the  line) ;  which  have 
several  different  signs  for  many  sounds,  thus  making  it  pos- 
sible to  write  words  in  a  great  variety  of  ways  (thereby 
giving  cause  for  hesitancy  in  determining  the  right  way) ; 
which  have  hundreds,  in  fact  thousands  of  arbitrary  word 
signs  to  burden  the  memory;  and  which,  when  employing 
vowels,  must  dot  them  in  after  the  consonants  of  a  word 
are  written;  and  whose  multiplicity  of  rules  and  exceptions 
all  tend  to  confuse  the  mind,  and,  therefore,  hamper  the 
hand . 

THE  AUTHOR. 


PARAGON         SHORTHAND 


Consonants. 

v    F  v.   H 

\  V  V_  Sh 

,    P  ^Th 

IB  ,•  K 


/T 

/D  ^  Ch 

L  ]  Write 


-   N  ^  W 

_M  y 


Vowels  and  Diphthongs: 
A        E        I        O        U         Aw  (all)         Oo        Oy        Cw 

•3  O  <J  O  <•  I>  C  4# 

C        is  either  K  or  S:  viz:  Cat  (Kat)  City  (Sity) 

Q        is  a  combination  of  K  and  W;  viz:  Quire  (Kwire) 

X        is  a  combination  of  K  and  S;  viz:  Box  (Boks) 

A  way  for  representing  the  different  shades  of  vowels  is  pro- 
vided for  in  the  Lessons. 


The  above  is  a  complete  practical  Phonetic  Alphabet. 

This  alphabet  and  the  method  of  abbreviating  given  in  Lesson  VII 
is  all  that  constitutes  Paragon  Shorthand. 

When  learned,  the  student  is  in  possession  of  a  system  of 
shorthand  with  which  anything  and  everything  in  the  language  can 
be  written  briefly  and  legibly.  , 


PARAGON     SHORTHAND. 


General  Directions. 

1.  Write  with   a         medium        lead   pencil.      Hold  it 
loosely  and   near   the  point,   and   write   as  light   outlines   as 
possible.      This  will  be  conducive  to  high  speed. 

2.  Cultivate  a  habit  of  writing  small  and  compactly. 
Make  the  short  letters  the  size  of  mere  ticks.      Thus,  the 
distinction  between  them  and  the  large  letters  will  be  great. 

3.  In    practicing    the    alphabetic    characters,    to    more 
readily  memorize  them^  utter  their  names  aloud. 

4.  Spell    altogether   by    sound.      Do    not    write    silent 
letters.      Pronounce   the   word    and   then   write   the    sounds 
actually  heard.     For  example,  "knob"  is  pronounced  nob; 
"bore"     is     pronounced     foor.      In     speaking     the     word 
' '  meadow ' '  you  will  hear  only  medo. 

5.  Throughout  the  entire  course  some  part  of  the  daily 
practice   should   be   devoted   to   that    part     of   the    alphabet 
already  learned.      In  this  system  all  the  words  in  the  lan- 
guage   are    written   with   the    alphabetic    characters,   and    it 
therefore  follows  that  if  the  alphabet  can  be  written  easily 
and   quickly,   the   words   which    they   compose   will   also   be 
written,  rapidly. 

6.  To  become  a  proficient  stenographer  it  is  necessary 
to   possess   a    complete   mastery     of   the     principles     of    the 
system.      The   student   is,   therefore,  urged   to   become   thor- 
oughly familiar  with  each  lesson  before  proceeding  to  the 
following  one. 

7.  In  the  beginning  do  not  strive  for  speed.     In  fact 
no  effort  to  write  rapidly  should  be  made  until  the  student 
has  mastered  the  entire  system.     Accuracy  and  neatness  of 
writing  should  be  the  sole  aim  of  the  student  until  he  reaches 
that  point. 


PARAGON        SHORTHAND. 


FIRST  LESSON. 

Lines.        F     V        PB        TD        LR        N     M 

\  / 

\      \          il          /    / 


8.  L   and  R  are  written  np,  and  are  made  more  inclined 
than  T  and  D.     N  and  M  are  written  from  left  to  right.     The 
others  are  written  down.     There  is  no  exception. 

9.  The  foregoing  constitute  all  the  "lines"  in  the  system. 
The  remaining  consonants  are  represented  by  curved  strokes 
and  are  given  in  the  Sixth  Lesson. 

10.  Practice  as  follows  and  continue  until  memorized: 

FV    \x\x\\\   \   \   \   \N\    \ 
PB.I     -I    ,1    ,1    ,1    ,1    ,1    ,1    ,1   ,h( 
TD  ,/,/  //////  ,/,/,/,/ 
L  R   (  Write  up)   ^^  ^  ^"  ^  ^-"^^" 

11.  After  the  foregoing   are    thoroughly  memorized  copy 
the  following,  writing  not  less  than  one  line  of  each: 

Ft      Fl      Fd        Fr      Pt      PI        Bd        Br      Nt      Ml 


Dm        Rm        Md        Mr        Rd        Dr 


12.  "E"  is  a  very  small  circle.        o 
"O"  is  a  large  circle.  O 

13.  When  at  the  beginning  or  end  of  "lines"  the  circle  is 
written  on  the  left  side  of  the  upright  strokes,  and  above  N 
and  M,  viz.  : 

°\         1       /    ^     <^_ 


PARAGON        'SHORTHAND. 


14.  When  between  two  "lines"  written  in  one  and  the  same 
direction,  the  circle  goes  to  the  left  side  of  the  upright  strokes 
and  above  N  and  M,  viz: 


15.  When  between  two  "lines"  not  written  in  one  and  the 
same  direction  (therefore  forming  an  angle),  turn  the  circle  out- 
side the  angle,  viz: 

Deaf     Feet      Fear      Pot      Pole    Meat     Meal     Dream 


16.  The  small  circle  represents  the  sounds  of  e,  as  heard  in 
feet  and  fed;  also  the  short  sound  of  *  and^,  as  beard  in  pity. 

In  practical  work,  where  isolated  words  are  seldom  written, 
there  will  rarely  be  any  difficulty  in  correctly  reading  words  con- 
taining the  small  circle,  as  the  context  will  almost  invariably  de- 
termine the  shade  of  the  vowel. 

However,  if  desired,  the  student  may  indicate  the  long  sound 
of  e  by  placing  a  small  dash  or  tick  near  it;  and  the  short  sound  of 
»  and_y  may  be  indicated  by  placing  near  the  small  circle  a  dot, 

Feet  Fit  Ream  Rim 


17.  The  large  circle  represents  the  sounds  of  o,  as  heard  in 
dote,  dot.  Though  unnecessary  in  practical  work,  the  long  sound 
may  be  distinguished  by  placing  a  small  dash  near  the  circle,  viz: 

Boat 


18.  So  as  to  become  familiar  with  the  application  of  the 
foregoing  rules  for  combining  the  circles  with  the  consonants, 
copy  carefully  and  neatly  the  examples  given  below.  Having 
done  this, 'coyer  the  printed  key  and  endeavor  to  read  the  short- 
hand forms. 


PARAGON        SHORTHAND. 


Examples. 

Eat        Ebb        Owed       Tea       Dough       Own  Knee 

/            1            /            </          </            Q.  -« 

Tone          Neat         Modern         Noble         Elope  Meat 
V° 

Model           Belt          Beam          Bent          Bled  Middle 


Eleven  Velvet  Pepper  Bonnet  Reed 


Poultry  Trophy  Trim  Lily  Little 

<fc^ 


Writing  Exercise.. 

19.  Copy  in  longhand  the  following  list  of  words,  writing 
each  word  at  the  beginning  of  a  line.  Write  next  to  each  word 
the  shorthand  representation  thereof.  After  the  entire  list  has 
been  written  in  shorthand,  examine  same  carefully  so  as  to  dis- 
cover and  correct  any  errors  that  may  have  been  committed. 
Then  practice  each  word  to  the  end  of  the  line. 

If  Fee  Evil  Ever  Fever  Fib  Feet  Feed  Fiddle  Feel  Fear 
Fin  Folly  Volley  Over  Foe  Fop  Fob  Four  Foam  Pivot 
Peep  People  Pope  Pebble  Pet  Pot  Peddle  Peel  Pelt  Pole 
Poultry  Pier  Pore  Pen  Ponder  Pimple  Pomp  Beer  Bin  .Bib 
Bob  Bet  Boat  Bell  Bowl  Bond  Bore  Bolt  Bold  Tip  Top 
Tot  Tell  Toll  Ten  Tone  Team  Tome  Dove  Deep  Debt 
Dot  Deal  Doll  Dear  Door  Den  Done  Deem  Dome  Left  Leave 
Level  Loaf  Leaf  Letter  Leap  Love  Let  Lot  Lead  Load  Lily 
Loll  Lean  Loaf  Limb  Reef  Rivet  Reveal  Rover  Reap  Rope 
Rib  Rob  Wrote  Read  Rode  Riddle  Real  Roll  Rear  Roar  Rent 
Roam  Ream  Never  Nip  Novel  Knob  Net  Note  Need  Nod 
Kneel  Near  Nor  Known  Nimble  Mop  Met  Metal  Mottle 
Medal  Meadow  Mode  Meal  Molten  Mere  More  Mean  Moan 
Member  Flip  Flit  Fled  Floor  Fret  Freed  Freer  Frill 
Friend  From  Pleat  Plead  Implore  Plenty  Bolt  Blend 
Blonde  Brief  Brevity  Bread  Pretty  Bid  Trip  Treat  Trod 
Trill  Dreary  Drone  Dream,  • 


PARAGON         SHORTHAND. 


SECOND    LESSON. 

A  U 

3  C. 

20.    When  A  and  U  occur  between  two  "lines", 

A  is    represented   by  a   small  hook  at  the  end  of  the  first 
stroke,  viz: 

Bad     Bare     Bale     Ban     Fate     Fail     Fan     Dave     Dale 

V    I    I     I    Z 


Rave  Rate  Rain  Map  Mail  Brain 

U  is  represented  by  a  small  hook  at  the  beginning  of  the  second 
stroke,  viz: 

Bud      Burr      Bull      Bun 

I     i 


Rough  Rut          Run          Mute          Mule          Brunt 


21.  The  student  will  observe  from  the  foregoing  examples 
that  the  hook,    whether   for   A  or  U,   Always   opens   or  faces 
inside  angles. 

22.  When  between  two  upright  "lines"  written  in  one  and 
the  same  direction,  the  .hook  must  always  be  turned  forward — 
to    the    right;    when   between    the    horizontals,  it    is    turned 
downward  or  below,  viz; 

Favor        Babble         Date        Rail        Name         Bubble 

v  I    *  ^  -   \ 

Duty         Rule         Nun 


PARAGON        SHORTHAND. 


23.     When    the   hook  for  "A"  is  madelsroad,  it  represents 
the  broad  sound  of  "A,  "  "aw,  "and  the  sound  "ah,  "as  heard  in 

Fall        Ball        Farm 
\f 


24.     Broad  "U"  represents  the  sound  "oo"  as  heard  in 
Brood        Food        Boot        Root 


Examples. 

Tall          Maul          Fruit         Proof         Prune         Brute 


Room        Moon        Noon        Mood 

^  -^          -9 


25.  Though  unnecessary  in  practical  note-taking,  you  may 
indicate  the  long  sound  of  a  and  u  by  writing  a  short  dash  or 
tick  near  the  hook,  viz: 

Fat        Fate  Mull        Mule 


26.  When  no  vowel  occurs  between  two  lines  written  in  the 
same  direction,  a  tick  may  be  employed  to  indicate  the  separa- 
tion, viz: 

Purely  (Pur-le)  ^^^  However  this  is  rarely  necessary  in 
practical  work. 


PARAGON        SHORTHAND. 


Writing  Exercise. 

Favor  Fable  Fate  Foot  Fade  Fatal  Futile  Future  Fail 
Full  Fare  Farm  Fur  Fan  Infant  Fun  Fame  Fume  Vapid 
Vat  Vale  Valley  Vulture  Van  Puff  Pave  Pap  Pup  Puppy 
Pupil  Pat  Put  Patter  Pad  Paddle  Puddle  Pail  Pull 
Paltry  Pulp  Pulpit  Pare  Part  Pure  Purple  Purity  Purely 
Pander  Pant  Panel  Pun  Pamper  Pump  Baffle'  Buff  Rebuff 
Babble  Bubble  Bat  Battle  Batter  But  Butter  "Button  Bud 
"Bad  Bale  Bull  Bare  Burr  Barber  Barter  Barn  Burn  Taffy 
Tough  Tap  Table  Tub  'Tattle  Tutor  Tale  Tally  Tar 
Tart  Turtle  'Turbid  Turn  Turf  .  Tan  Tame  Tamper 
Tumble  Tumult  Dabble  Dub '  Date  Duty  Dad  Dull  Dare 
Dart  Endure  Damp  Dump  Laugh  Lap  Late  Lately  Later 
Latent  Lute  Flute  Lad  Ladder  Flail  Flurry  Lard  Lurid 
Lane  Lame  Lamp  Lump  Lumber'  Raft  Rough  Rave  Ruffle 
Rap  Wrapper  Rabbit  Rabid  Rubber  Rate  Raid  Rudder  Rail 
Rule  Ran  Run  Rain  Ram  Ramble  Rum  Rumble  Enough 
Navy  Nap  Neighbor  Native  Nut  Nail  Null  Name  Muff 
Map  Maple  Mat  Mute  Matter  Mutter  Mad  Mud  Muddle 
Mail  Malt  Mule  Mare  Mart  Marble  Man  .  Mandate  Mantle 
Manner  Money  Flavor  Fluffy  Flap  Flute  Flail  Flame 
Prattle  Prayer  Brave  Bran  Bramble  Plate  Player  Plan 
Plum  Bluff  Blood  Blur  Blunt  Blame  Trap  Trouble  Trait 
Trail  Train  Trump  Drab  Drain  Dram  Drum. 

Fall  Brood  Ball  Tall  Maul  Fruit  Proof  'Prune  Brute 
Bloom  Room  Moon  Noon. 


PARAGON        SHORTHAND. 


THIRD  LESSON. 

27.    When  A  and  U  begin  and  end  "lines." 

A  is  a.  small  hook  to  the  left  of   upright  "lines,"  and  above 
N  and  M, 

U  is  a  small  hook  to  the  right  of  upright  "lines."  and   below 
N  and  M. 

A      \          I       / 
U        \ 

Examples. 
Aft      Affair      Avail      Few     Review      Up      Renew 

V 


Due         Pew          Allay          Array         May        Repay 
v  I  c? 


Obey         Able  Under          Art  Ray  Raw 

3        \       f     ^     ^ 


Awful  Pray  Adde.r  Adam  Adieu 

;?  ?/  9  9 

<v         v^       r          /—        / 


Writing  Exercise. 

Aft  Afar  Affable  Avail  Aver  Ape  Pay  Apple  April 
Apt  Repay  Up  Pew  Upon  Bay  Obey  Ate  Utter  Add  Day 
Adder  Adept  Ail  Alto  Alarm  Alone  Ult  Allay  Array  Air 
Art  Arbor  Ardor  Arm  Ural  Urn  Europe  Anvil  Anna  Aunt 
And  Annul  Animal  Unto  Under  Ample  Humble  Amber 
May  Mew. 


PARAGON        SHORTHAND. 


FOURTH  LESSON. 

I      u 

28.  The  long  sound  of  I  and  of  Y,  as  heard  in  Pie.  Idle,  By, 
is  represented  by  a  small  half-circle. 

29.  When  1  is  the  first  letter  in  the  word,  the  concave  or 
inside  of  the  half-circle  must  face  awiv  from  the  stroke,  viz: 

A       ^      /    ^  ,_ 

30.  When  it  is  the  last  letter  in  the  word,  the  concave  side 
must  face  away  from  the  end  of  the  word,  viz: 

V          I       I     s~    -. 

31.  When  it  occurs  between  two  strokes  forming  an  angle," 
the  concave  side  must  face  the  way  the  angle  points,  viz: 

Dive     Fight      Life      File     Dine     Rhyme     Bite     Ride 


/ 


32.  When  it  occurs  between  two  upright  strokes  written  in 
one  and  the  same  direction,  the  concave  side  faces  to  the  left. 
When  between  two  horizontals,  it  faces  up,  viz: 

Fife          Pipe          Tight          Rile         Nine         Ninety 
\  Y  /  -v- 


33.  The  student  is  reminded  that  the  short  sound  of  I  and 
Y  is  represented  by  the  small  circle.  The  sign  given  in  this 
lesson  must  never  be  used  for  the  sounds  of  I  and  Y  as  heard  in 
Pity,  Bit  Mit. 

Writing  Exercise. 

Ivy  Idle  Isle  Ire  Fie  Vie  Pie  By  Untie  Tie  Die  Nigh  My 
Fife  Five  Fibre  File  Fire  Fine  Viper  Invite  Vial  Vine  Pipe 
Pile  Pyre  •  Pine  Biped  Bible  Bite  Abide  Bile  Buyer  Bind 
Type  Tight  Tide  Tile  Tire  Tiney  Time  Dive  Indite  Died 
Dial  Dire  Dine  Dime  Life  Alive  Library  Light  Lied  Lyre 
Line  Lime  Rife  Arrive  Ripe  Right  Ride  Deride  Rile  Rhyne 
Rhyme  Knife  Night  Nile  Mile  Mine  Might  Mire  Flight 
Fright  Fried  Plight  Private  Pride  Prime  Blight  Blind 
Bride  Brier  Bright  Brine  Trifle  Tripe  Tribe  Trite  Tried 
Trial  Drive  Dried  Dryer. 


PARAGON        SHORTHAND 


FIFTH  LESSON. 

Oy  i)w 

34.  The   sound   "oy,"  as  heard  in  Boy.  Oil,  and  the  sound 
"Ow,"as  heard  in  Bow.  Plough,  Out,  are  represented  as  follows: 

By  a  small  and  large  circle  written  opposite  to  where  E  and 
O  would  be  placed;  viz: 

35.  Beginning  and  ending  "lines  (.  T°  the  right,  and  below 
Between  two   "lines"  in  one  direction  j       N  and  M 

Vo\v          Boy          Bough         Toy        Out         Now        Oil 

\D          I  b  i>          ^°         -o         <r 

Doubt  Royal  Trowel  Noun  Lawyer 


36.     Between  two  Lines  not  in  the  same  direction. 

The  circle  for  Oy  or  Ow  is  joined  to  the  first  stroke  &o  as 
not  to  cross  it:  It  resembles  "A"  in  the  respect  that  it  is 
traced  in  the  direction  of  the  following  letter;  viz: 

"Bowed  Bower  Boil  Turmoil 

b"          L 

Proud  Down  Found 


37.  As  in  the  case  of  "round,"  for  the  sake  of  easy  execu- 
tion, the  ow  may  be  made  as  a  loop. 

Writing  Exercise. 

Out  Oil  Owl  Our  Envoy  Vow  Boy  Bow  Bound  About  Toy 
Now  Annoy  Foible  Foil  Fowl  Found  Pout  Powder  Power 
Point  Bound  Bowed  Boil  Bower  Rebound  Bounty  Toil  Towel 
Tower  Town  Doubt  Dower  Loiter  Loud  Loyal  Loin  Adroit 
Route  Rowdy  Royal  Round  Noun  Turmoil  Mound  Frown 
Proud  Broil  Brown  Trout  Trowel  Drown. 


It  is  as.  important  to  be  able  to  read  shorthand  as  to  writt  it. 

After  having  written  an  exercise,  cover  the  longhand  key  and 
read  the  shorthand.  From  day  today  read  some  of  the  short- 
hand written  several  days  before.  You  will  note,  an  increased 
facility  in  reading  your  writing. 


10 


SIXTH    LESSON. 

"Carves" 

H       Sh      Th       K      G      Ch      J      S-Z      W      Y      Ng 

<v-         V        ^\        S      S"     S    ^        ^        ^    ^-^       ) 

Pronounced 

Hay         Isti        1th        Kay     Gay     Today     Jay     [ss.  Zee     Wav      Yea       Ing 

38.  Hay.    Ish,   1th    are  inclined  like    the    letter    V  \ 
and  are  written  down. 

39.  Kay,    Gay.     Tchay    and   Jay    are  usually  written  up, 
having  the  slant  of  R          (See  Paragraph  55) 

40.  Ess  or  Zee,  Way  and  Yea  are  written  from  left  to  right, 

41.  Ing  is  a  perpendicular,  and  is  written  down. 

42.  Ish  represents  the  sound  of  sh,  as  hoard  in  shif>,  motion 
(moshun). 

43.  Itb     represents   the    sound    of   th.    as   heard   in  think, 
though. 

44.  Gay  is  employed  for  the  hard  sound  of  G  only,  as  heard 
in  God.  bag 

45.  Tchay   represents  the  sound  of   ch  or  tch.  as  heard  in 
chip,  match 

46.  J    represents  the  sound   of   J  as  heard  in  July,    Badge 
(baj)  Page  (paj)     Gem  (jem). 

47  S  and  Z.  No  ambiguity  will  result  from  the  employment 
of  one  sign  for  S  and  Z.  City  would  not  be  read  Zity  nor 
would  Zero  be  read  Cero 

48.  Ing    represents    the  soting   of   ng,  as  heard  in  Wrong, 
English,  Ink  (ingk).  Anxious  (angkshus). 

49.  In  Phonography  (sound- writing),  there  are  no  alphabetic 
characters  for  C.  Q  and  X.  because: 

C  can  be  represented  by  either  K  or  S.  viz:  Cat  (kat)   City 

(sity). 
O    is   a  combination   of    k  and  w.  viz    Queen  (kwen).  Quire 

(kwir).  Squeal  (skwel). 
X  is  a  combination  of  k  and  s,  viz:  Ox  (oks).  Box  (boks). 

50.  Practice  the  curved  consonants  the  same  as  you  did  the 
"Lines".  untiMhey  are  thoroughly  memorized. 


PARAGON        SHORTHAND 


11 


51.     Beginning  and  Ending  Carves: 

(a)     A.  E  and  O  are  written  inside  the  curve;  viz: 

Aha  They  Ache  Say  Weigh 

^>  0  f  **3  jT^ 

Key  Each  Oak  Sew 

T  <*>  6~  \£> 

(t>)     U,  Oy  and  Ow  are  written  onlside  the  curve;  viz: 
Youth  Cue  Us  Sue  Chew 

)  S^*  <*-*  «wX?  ^/> 

Coy  Oyster  Thou  Cow 


52.  "I"  is  written  as  hitherto  taught,  with  the  concave 
side  of  the  half-circle  facing  away  from  the  beginning  or  end 
of  the  word,  as  the  case  may  be;  viz: 

Ice  Sigh  Thy  Guy 


53.  The  rules  for  writing  the  vowels,  and  diphthongs  oy 
and  ow.  when  they  occur  between  two  "Lines,"  also  apply  when 
they  occur  between  any  two  ''Curves,"  or  a  Line  and  a  Curve, 
viz; 

Hull          Shade          Share 


Hale 


Hang 
Throng 


Shout 

^ 

Shingle 

s 

Kill 


Shower 


Jim 


Shed 

V 

Join 


Came         Gun 


Gore 


Hatch         Match         Box 


Gold 

1 

Fox 


Guide 


Cheer 


Sheer 

V 

July 


Wing 

^ 

Batch 


Sauce        Wander 


Sane 


Sun 


Wonder 


Sale         Sought 


12  PARAGON        SHORTHAND 


54.     K   and    G   are   written   down  when  before  L,  R,  W,  N 

and  M,  and  when  after  L,  R  and  S,  also  in  the  words  Seek,  Sick, 
Soak,  Soggy,  Cigar.  Cigarette,  viz: 

Acme         Ignore         Clear        Clean         Gloom         Glide 

<L^       fr        vS       *        £~        & 

Queen  (kwen)         Quail         Quick         Sky        Squander* 


^, 


Lignite         Scream         Scroll        Ark        Milk        Seek 
v-£--^^          ~~Z^^     &s*       — *rf  Y* 


Soak     Cigar    Skill     Scale    Gwendohn     Squeal    Square 


55.     Ch  and  J  are  written  down  when  preceded  by  N,  viz: 
Enjoy  Fringe          Injure  Engine  Enchant 

7  \S  3  1 


56.     In    words   like  when,  while,  where,  omit  the  h  for  the 
sake  of  brevity,  viz;         m-        /-w* 


57.  When  the  hook  for  A  or  U  occurs  between  two  curves 
going  in  one  and  the  same  direction,  write  the  book  inside  the 
curve  to  which  it  belongs,  viz. 

Was  Jag  Jug^—  Cage  Chuckle 


58.     When  E  or  O  occurs  between  two  curves  running  in  one 
and  the  same  direction,  turn  it  inside  the  first  curve,  viz: 

Coach 


PARAGON        SHORTHAND.  U 


Writing  Exercise. 

Hay  Aha  Ash  She  Show  Had  Hail  Harp  Ham  Hum 
Hymn  Shade  Shed  Shoddy  Share  Sharp  Shame  Shine  Ship 
Bush  Push  Thief  Thought  Thine  Then  Thick  These  Those 
Thiis  Thousand  Cuff  Cave  Cover  Keep  Quote  Cat  Cut  Kite 
Code  Kill  Coal  Cold  Call  Cull  Core  Car  Cart  Cur  Curve 
Kind  Cone  Can  Came  Calm  Cash  Kick  Cake  Keg  Coach 
Cows  Catch  Kiss  Cost  Cast  Gave  Govern  Gap  Get  Got 
Gate  Giddy  Guide  Gill  Goal  Gold  Gale  Gull  Gear  Gore  Gone 
Gain  Gun  Game  Gum  Gimlet  Gash  "Gush  Gather  Gag 
Gauge  Guess  Gas  Gust  Chief  Chaff  Chip  Cheat  Chap  Chat 
Chide  Child  Cheer  Chair  Churn  Churl  Chain  Check  Chuckle 
Cheese  Chase  Choice  Jiffy  Jove  Japan  Jib  Job  Jobber  Jot  Joe 
Jolt  Jar  Jolly  Jury  Jeer  July  Jane  Join  Jim  Jumble  Josh 
Jack  Joke  Jig  Jug  Jest  Just  Joist  Swift  Soft  Sofa  Safe  Syphon 
Sap  Supper  Soap  Set  Settle  Sat  Suit  Said  Sadden  Sad  Side 
Sell  Sole  Sale  Sulphur  Sardine  Surface  Sire  Seen  Sand  Soon 
Sign  Same  Sash  Seethe  Southern  Seek  Sack  Suck  Segar  Sag 
Satchel  Siege  Scene  Saucy  Wafer  Wife  Wave  Weep 
Wipe  Wet  Wait  White  Woo  Wade  Wide  Wood  Wail  Wool  While 
Where  Wore  Ware  Wire  When  Wan  Wash  Wither  Week 
Awoke  Wake  Watch  Wedge  Waste  Yet  Yellow  Yore  Yonder 
Shrivel  Shrove  Shred  Shrewd  Shrill  Shrimp  Shriek  Thrift 
Thrive  Thrill  Thresh  Thrust  Throw  Threw  Cliff  Cleave  Clove 
Clip  Club  Cold  Clear  Clean  Claw  Clash  Click  Close  Craft  Creep 
Crop  Crib  Creek  Croak  Crease  Cross  Crust  Crew  Glove  Glad 
Gleam  Gloom  Glum  Gloss  Glee  Glue  Grief  Gruff  Grave  Grip 
Grope  Gripe  Grub  Great  Greed  Grime  Grease  Grass  Slave 
Slap  Slim  Slay  Slow  Fish  Fresh  Batch  Trash  Dash  Flesh 
Rush  Breath  Doth  Drouth  Wrath  Mother  Fake  Fleck  Flock 
Frock  Knock  Meek  Make  Fig  Fag  Peach  Patch  Batch  Page 
Badge  Budge  Feast  Vase  Vice  Voice  Pass  Price  Boast  Bust 
Breast  Toast  Dress  Last  Rest  Split  Spit  Spat  Spike  Strife 
Streak  Street  Stripe  Stray  Straw  Strew  Smile  Smear  Smack 
Skip  Skiff  Skill  Scale  Scream  Scroll  Sweep  Swift  Swap 
Swim  Twenty  Dwell  Dwarf  Dwindle  Equip  Quip  Quality 
Queer  Queen  Quantity  Quick  Quest  Request  Square  Squander 
Finger  Ring  Throng  Among  Linger  Strong  Strung  Swing 
Spring  Hang  Shingle. 


14  PARAGON        SHORTHAND 


SEVENTH  LESSON. 

Some  words  occur  so  frequently  that  it  is  desirable  to  repre- 
sent them  in  the  briefest  way  possible.  Each  alphabetic 
character  can  be  employed  to  stand  for  one  or  more  words  of 
which  it  happens  to  be  a  prominent  sound.  These  are  designated 
"Word  Signs."  The  following  list,  though  small,  is  so  well 
selected  that  it  represents  from  one-third  to  one-half  of  the 
words  found  in  any  article  or  speech.  They  must  be  thoroughly 
committed  to  memory,  until  they  can  be  repeated  aloud  with  a 
degree  of  speed. 

Hord    Signs. 
\     For     If  v.     He  Him  How 

\    Of  Have  Very  V.  Shall  Sure  Wish 

I     Put  Party  Particular  "^  Think  Them  Thank 

By  Be  Been  >>  That  (short  "ith") 

/     To  It  /-  Can  Come 

/    Do  Had  Go  Give  -n  Good  God 

^    Will  Well  -x  Which  Much 

^"  Are  Or  ^/  Just  Judge 

_     No  Not  In  ^/  So  Such  Is 

-  -  .   Me  More  Most  ^  What  We  Would 

z     A,  An  , — s  Your  -s   Yes 

^     I  £•  Who    Whose 

e.    You  C  Whom 

.    The  (a  dot)  )  Thing  Long 


PARAGON         SHORTHAND  15 


Phrasing. 

Bv  "Phrasing"  is  meant  the  writing  of  two  or  more  words 
together,  by  which  means  speed  is  gained.  Only  such  words 
should  be  joined  which  seem  to  have  a  natural  connection  when 
speaking  them. 

The  examples  which  are  given  below  are  not  to  be  memorized. 
They  should  be  copied  and  not  less  than  three  lines  of  each 
written. 

^    For  a  ~>\     I  will  be 

\   Have  you  ^    I  will  do 

t/  To  a  a  —  .   I  am 


6    To  you  >  —  =    lama 

_»  In  a  \    I  have 

_,  Know  you  \^_-^I  have  your 

\.  You  have  You  will  be 


</  Had  a  <&  You  will  do 

/    Do  you.   Had  you  d.  Do  you  know 

<^    You  will  c/  Do  you  think 

.--^^You  are  ^  How  do  you  do 

/ 

V     If  you  will  ^v  How  have  you  been 

Vt     If  vou  will  be  V  I  am  sure 


16  PARAGON        SHORTHAND. 


Have  you  been  ^.  I  a  in  sure  you  will   be 

To  be  /  Do  not 

2L  You  cannot 

|  I  think 

M    It  will  b«  \^  I  think  you  are 

I  think  that  there 

You  have  been  ^-^/  He  is 

He  cao  >s     T  have  been 


X     T  hav 


In  Phrasing,  All  may  be  represented  by  the  "Aw"  hook. 
which,  as  taught  in  Lesson  II,  is  a  broad  A;  viz: 

>>     For  all  J    By  all  c/  To  all 

\>  Of  all  J  At  all  JD  In  all 

"Oar"  may  be  represented  by  the  "ow"  circle;  viz: 
\D    For  our  D    By  our  6   To  our 

NQ   Of  our  3    At  our  o^  On  our 

In  Phrasing,  "the,"  by  being  lengthened  to  a  tick,  may  be 
added  to  a  preceding  word.  The  tick  is  slanted  like  a  "t," 
except  when  after  a  "t"  or  "d."  when  it  is  slanted  like  "f;" 
viz: 

For  the  By  the  In  the  On  the 

>  I 

To  the  At  the  Do  the  Shall  the 

t  *                         /                            ^ 


PARAGON        SHORTHAND. 


Role  of  Contraction. 

Abbreviate  as  in  longhand;  that  is,  write  only  the  important 
sounds  of  a  word,  which-are  usually  the  first  sounds,  and  omit 
the  rest. 

By  applying  this  rule,  almost  any  degree  of  brevity  can  be 
obtained.  Naturally,  as  the  student  becomes  accustomed  to 
reading  abbreviated  writing  he  will  contract  words  to  a  greater 
extent  than  at  first. 

This  rule  dispenses  with  the  necessity  of  committing  to 
memory  thousands  of  arbitrary  word-signs,  which  students  of 
other  systems  are  compelled  to  do. 

The  application  of  this  rule,  makes  it  unnecessary  to  provide 
special  signs  for  many  suffixes,  as  will  be  noted  below: 

Ted.  Ded,  may  be  represented  by  along  "d;"  viz; 


Loaded 


Fall.     By  "f;"  viz: 


Ness.     By  "n;"  viz: 


Repeated 

J 

Hopeful 


Goodness 

C» 


Mended 


7 


Joyful 


Awful 
<\ 

Fullness 


Ment.     By  "m;"  viz-        Ferment      Judgment      Payment 


Less.     Bv  "1;"  viz:          Hopeless         Artless         Useless 


Tion.  Tious.     By  "sh;"  viz:  Nation  Motion  Ocean 


lotion 


Passion        Auction        Gracious 

V 

Able.  Ible.    By   "b;"  viz: 
Desirable  Endurable    Sociable    Notable  Preferable    Possible 


"i  r 


18 


PARAGON        SHORTHAND. 


Ing.     This  suffix  is  represented  by  a  dot  written  immediately 
following  the  preceding  part  of  the  word;  viz: 

Reading         Writing         Rowing         Singing         Saying 


In^s,  is  represented  by  an  "s"  written  across  the  end  of  the 
preceding  part  of  the  word;  viz: 

Writings  Doings  Sayings 


Prefixes. 

Supplemental  to  the  Rule  of  Contraction,  it  is  found  desirable 
to  represent  a  few  of  the  most  frequently  occurring  prefixes  in 
some  brief  manner. 

Con.     Com.    Cum.    Co[f. 

When    the    first   word   in  a  sentence  begins  with  the  prefix 
con,  com,  cum  or  cog,  represent  the   same  by  a  dot  and  write 
the  remainder  of  the  word  immediately  following  it;  viz: 
"Contrive  to  be  good:"  "Commit  no  crime."   "Combat  wrong." 


Where  the  word  beginning  with  con,  com,  cum,  cog,  is 
preceded  by  another  word,  omit  the  dot  and  write  the  re- 
mainder of  the  word  c/ose  to  the  preceding  word.  The  prox- 
imity will  indicate  to  the  writer  the  omission  of  the  prefix;  viz: 
'  'He  is  a  competent  stenographer.  "  ''Brown  went  to  Conress.  " 

^ 


Where  another  syllable  precedes  con,  coin,  cum,  cog,  write 
that  syllable,  omit  the  con  com,  cum  or  cog,  and  place  the 
remainder  of  the  word  close  to  the  preceding  syllable;  viz 

>-      Inconvenient  ^7     Accommodate 


Incomplete 


Uncontrolled 


*^/      Reconsider 


?i*     Accomplish 


Recognition 


Recognize 


PARAGON        SHORTHAND-. 


Dist     Des.     Omit  the  vowel;  viz: 
L^>    Display 

<Lsx-     Descend 
Ex.      (eks)  Omit  the  "k"  . 

<LJ> 

/       Exceed 


Discl<»e 


•^^  Expert 

Magjni.     Majjne.     Magnan.     Represent  this  prefix  by  "m,"  and 
write  the  remainder  of  the  word  across  it;  vi/.: 


Magnify 


Manitude 


Mananimous 


Self.     Represent   by   "s,"  and    write   the   remainder  of  the 
word  across  it;  viz: 

Scifiish     Self-esteem     Self-reliant      Self-imposed       Self-made 
<^  j_^-n~"vt 

Trans.     Write    "tr,  "   for  trans,  and  place   the    remainder  of 

the  word  across  it;  viz; 


Transmit 


fSls' 


Transgress 


Transmute 


Transpose- 

Transact 

Transpire 


Enter.   Inter.  Represent  same  by  "n,"and  write  the  remainder 
of  the  word  across  it;  viz: 

*z£-      Entertain  a(          \  \  rrdependent 


Interpose 


International 


20  PARAGON        SHORTHAND 


When  the  short  sound  of  e,  i  or  u,  as  in  "ses, "  "sis,"  "sus,  " 
occurs  between  a  double  long  letter,  omit  the  vowel  and  make 
the  stroke  double  length;  viz: 

Vivid     Bubble       Did      Member     Excess     Inconsistent 


V  I  / 


Sister         Suspend          Vases         Recess          Process 


An  abbreviated  word  and  a  word-sign   may  be  joined  to 
form  another  word:  viz: 

Herein  (here,    in)  Hereto 


When  two  vowels  occur  together,  the  more  prominent  of  the 
two  is  written;  the  other  is  usually  omitted;  viz: 

Deity  Dial  Royal 

' 


In  some  words,  where  both  vowels  are  distinctly  pronounced, 
they  are  both  written;  viz:        Aeolian      Leo      Ohio       Iota 


To  indicate  the  two  vowels  in  Bias,    Liable,  Sience,  e  may 
be  inserted  in  the  I;  viz:  \^  ^-^^ 


A  vowel  may  be  omitted  where  its  use  would  cause  an  awk- 
ward joining;  viz: 

Suppose  Submit  Book  Took 

M  I 

^  L-y.  /- 


PARAGON       SHORTHAND 


Copy,  and  write  not  less  than  three  lines  of  each  of  the 
following 

Examples. 


Able 


Afterthought 
Afterward 
Altogether 
0     Although 
d>     Also 

c: Almost 

-D      Any 
C*        Always 
<f       Acknowledge 
£*_      Acquaintance 


V      Affect 


/       Anxious  (angshus) 
1   Another 


America 

\y-     Advantage 

/ 

/       Advertise 

L. —      Advertisement 
r       Advertiser 
]o      Between 
L      But 
K"     Become 
Because 
Bank 


22                        PARAGON 

SHORTHAND. 

IT      Book 

/•a-    Within 

V*    Broker 

-^TK-^    Notwithstanding 

If    Balance 

V-_  Insure 

^     Different 

t^a       Procure 

<£     Difficult 

V^P^-  Himself 

^      Deliver 

Os^^x    Ourselves 

V*    Here 

i,  ^     Themselves 

\o  Hereto 

£.  Utmost 

^o    Heretofore 

£*       Utterly 

^o    Hereafter 

—Q 

\    Moreover 

VA_  Herein 

^7    Maintain 

V?»    Herewith 

V£^-     Hopelessness 

6  Glad 

S>       Happiness 

^j    Obtain 

~~^3      Inasmuch 

to.  Hopeless 

~^  —  v>—  Insofaras 

x^     With 

«x 

^^^      Receipt 

PARAGON         SHORTHAND. 


23 


Reply 

Represent 

x 
Report 

Internal 
/      Introduce 
V-  Intervene 

— a   Money 
o   Many 

-t^"x"  Enter  prise 
-fr-     Entertain 
•f"     Interrupt 
/^  Intercede 
c-     One 

c-    Once 
Short 
Shorthand 


To-hand 
Please-send 
I    Nothing 
7    Under 

Understand 
Plausible 

Feasible 
Valuable 


\p  F.O.  B.  dree  on  board) 

/  C.  0.  D.,  (coflect  on  delrwrj) 

S+~  England 

,/f  English 

V  Naighborhood 

*£*>  United  States 

L.  Dear  Sir 

— v  Your  letter 


24                       PARAGON 

SHORTHAND. 

x-  —  j      Yours  truly 

~Z^-      Modest 

^—  ^x^*^Yonrs  respectfully 

*2f 

v<x^*\  Relevant 

-^^  —    Redeemable 

^<^\    Irrelevant 

o^£—    Irredeemable 

c~^t     Understood 

o(        Indifferent 

\f  .Undervalue 

«/       Indefinite 

^     Undertake 

—  z-t        Merchandise 

er^  Underwrite 

^t^       Liquidation 

Xvv».  Rational 

l^        Practical 

a-^  —  Irrational 

^X^   Strange 

7^-""  Material 

-^     Length 

0  j*^**  Immaterial 

-^"^^°     References 

?    Mature 

^••^      Current 

Q~~T      Immature 

(>^^^      Original 

"    Refutable 

Regular 

o^^    J    Irrefutable 

o^"^      Irregular 

PARAGON     SHORTHAND. 


Punctuation. 

All  the  ordinary  punctuation  marks  may  bo  employed, 
except  the  period,  to  represent  which  a  stroke  is  drawn 
across,  the  line. 

Special  Abbreviations. 

The  Stenographer  will  be  able  to  make  special  abbrevia- 
tions for  words,  names,  terms  or  phrases  frequently  occurr- 
ing in  his  own  work. 

For  example,  the  Law  Stenographer  would  adopt  \?  for 
plaintiff,  «<  for  defendant t  '"2?  for  w ilness,  ^->»  for 


"what  is  your  name,"     ^V"^      for  "where  do  you  reside." 
)j>  for  "how  long  hai'e  you  lived  there".'' 


The  words  "of  the"  are  omitted  when  they  occur  in  a 
sentence  —  that    is,   when   they   occur   between   other  words 
The  omission  is  indicated  by  writing  the  succeeding  word 
close  to  the  word  preceding   "of  the." 
Examples: 

Your  letter  of  the  8th-        End  of  the  season- 


Top    of   the   hill. 


Wben  "of  the"  are  the  first  words  in  a  sentence  they 
are  written- 
Example:     "Of  the  many  places  I  saw  I  prefer  Paris: 

"X 


PARAGON     SHORTHAND. 


HOW  TO  PRACTICE  FOB  SPEED. 

Having  mastered  the  foregoing  lessons,  the  student  is 
in  possession  of  a  system  of  shorthand  wherewith  can  be 
written  puythinjj  and  everything  in  the  language,  briefly 
and  legibly.  If  he  hns  faithfully  followed  the  directions 
given,  if  he  hns  actually  written  and  repeatedly  practiced 
the  examples,  he  is  now  al.le  to  drill  for  speed- 

For  reasons-  stated  in  the  Preface,  a  given  amount  of 
practice  will  produce  a  higher  speed  in  Paragon  sbort.bauJ 
than  is  possible  with  any  other  system. 

If  the  student  will  carefully  observe  the  following  in- 
structions, ar.d  will  pursue  the  plan  outlined,  he  will  soon 
be  able  to  write  from  dictation  fast  enough  to  do  practical 
work. 

Remember  that  Speed  is  the  outcome  of  thorough 
familiarity  with  the  principles  of  the  system  and  actual 
application  of  the  same- 

a.  Always    hold    the    pencil    very    loosely.     In    writing 
let  the  mere  weight  of  the  pencil  make  the  mark-     Do  not 
bear  on   it.     Use  the  Faber  No-   2- 

b.  Make     small     outlines     and     write     close     together. 
Spreading  out  the  writing  so  that  but  few  words  are  written 
on  a  line,  consumes  time- 

c.  Copy  the  shorthand  of  tbe  first   letter  neatly. 

d.  Then    practice    for    speed    by    drilling    on    but    one 
word  or  "phrase"  at  a  time-  Speak  the  word,  or  "phrase," 
aloud,  repeating  it  faster  and  faster  as  you  proceed,  while 
at  the  same  time  endeavoring  to  keep  up  with  the  pencil- 
When  you  are  able  to  write  the  word,  or  "phrase,"  as  fast 
as  you  can  utter  it,  follow  the  same  method  with  the  next, 
and  so  on  until  you  have  completed  the  letter.  Then  write  the 
letter  from  beginning  to  end  from   some  one  else's  reading. 
The  reader  can  time  your  speed  by  the  second-hand  of  a 
watch,   and    the   letter   should   be   thus    read    to    you    many 
times,  until  you  can  write  it  at  a  speed  of  one-hundred  words 
a  minute-     (The  figures  in  parenthesis  are  not  to  be  read, 
and    are    inserted    to    enable   tbe    dictator   to    ascertain    the 
speed  at  which  the  stenographer  writes.     Every  tentb  word 
is  numbered). 

Then  practice  on  tbe  second  letter  in  flie  same  manner- 
By  the  time  you  will  have  drilled  on  twenty-five  letters,  you 
may  venture' to  take  a  dictation  on  matter  not  previously 
practiced. 

Tbe  "Word  Signs  should  be  recited  daily- 


i5i oca 


This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below 


JAN  23  193b 
APR  1 6  1936 

H       A       V3"^ 

flpfc  *• 

ifiii 


MAR  9-1961 


Form  L-9-35m-s.'-_'s 


256 
L6lp  Lichtentag 

Paragon 
shorthand . 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 
' -- 


A     000  591  620     o 


,-EKSlTY  of  CALIFORNiy 

AT 
LOS  ANSELES 


